Author: Andrea Mathew

2 Samuel 23:1-39; Jeremiah 7:1-34; Ephesians 1:15-2:10

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of
the Lord. Psalm 122:1

“The house of the Lord” is a phrase unique to the Psalms, occurring
eight times. The Old Testament saints knew God’s presence
was evident among them by the Tabernacle positioned in the centre
of their camp. King David desired to “dwell in the house of the
Lord all the days of [his] life” (Ps. 27:4), implying the God of Israel
was to be the central focus of his existence. That’s an admirable
goal for the New Testament saint as well. “Not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together” (Heb. 10:25). —Wm. H. Gustafson

Gathered in Thy name, Lord Jesus,
Losing sight of all but Thee;
O what joy Thy presence brings us,
Calling out our hearts to Thee. —C. A. Wellesley

2 Samuel 22:1-51; Jeremiah 6:1-30; Ephesians 1:1-14

Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to
say anything. 1 Thessalonians 1:8, NKJV
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should
write to you. 1 Thessalonians 4:9, NKJV
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no
need that I should write to you. 1 Thessalonians 5:1, NKJV

Paul was at Thessalonica for only a brief visit. Yet, these believers
had learned their lessons well. Paul wrote commending them
on three areas of spiritual growth—their faith, love, and hope. In
all these he declared, you have no need that I say or write anything
to you. Have we learned our lessons? —Rex Trogdon

O teach us more of Thy blest ways, Thou holy Lamb of God
And fix and root us in Thy grace, as those redeemed by blood.
—J. Hutton

2 Samuel 21:1-22; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Galatians 6:1-18

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13, NKJV

Paul closes his epistle by exhorting the Corinthians to be continuously
alert and unmovable in their faith. But how would this
be possible in such a cruel and evil world? The answer is by choosing
to be brave! As a believer chooses to be brave, God responds by
making the believer strong. This is why David could write, “Be of
good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in
the Lord” (Ps. 31:24, NKJV). Our courage and commitment prompt
God to demonstrate His incredible strength. —W. A. H.

Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage;
Your mighty Defender is always the same.
Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending;
Victory is sure when you call on His name.—Linda Johnson

2 Samuel 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Galatians 4:21-5:9

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and
before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have
I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed?
or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes
therewith? and I will restore it you. 1 Samuel 12:3

Oh to be like Samuel. He walked with a spotless testimony. At the
end of his life his conscience spoke to his heart that his ways were
blameless. Could we stand before our children or churches and
say such things? What’s more, who of us would hear the response,
“Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken
ought of any man’s hand” (1 Sam. 12:4). To be able to say and hear
these things are two prizes worth striving for. —Shane Johnson

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me. —Psalm 51:10

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mark 1:11

These wonderful words show us what God the Father thought
of His Son. It is interesting to notice that this commendation from
the Father came before any sermon was preached or any miracle
performed by His Son. The Father loved the Son not for what He
said or did but for who He was! When I examine my life what do
I focus on? The things I do or say? Or is it who I am in Christ? Activity,
although important, is no replacement for a life that has the
fragrant character of Christ! —Sid Halsband

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Edwin Orr

2 Samuel 18:1-19:8; Jeremiah 2:1-3:5; Galatians 4:1-20

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word
maketh it glad. Proverbs 12:25

Mark Twain, the American humourist and writer on one occasion
said, “I can live a whole week on one good compliment”. It’s often
said to a preacher, “That was a good message”, but to genuinely
encourage him tell him what it meant to you. At a “down” period in
my life a friend of mine out of the blue said to me, “Ross you didn’t
miss your calling”. It was just the reassurance I needed at that time
to press on. Is there someone you can encourage today?
—W. Ross Rainey

Speak, Thy servant heareth!
Be not silent, Lord;
Waits my soul upon Thee
For Thy quickening word! —E. May Grimes

2 Samuel 16:1-17:29; Jeremiah 1:1-19; Galatians 3:15-29

It is finished. John 19:30

Not partially done. Or half way done. Or just about done.
When God does something it is all done—to completion! Jesus’
declaration from the Cross is eternal and final. All is done. There
is nothing more we can do or add to merit God’s grace and forgiveness.
Jesus did it all. What a wonderful and comforting truth
for believers today! We can rest in the security of Christ’s atonement
and eternal love for us. It is done! It is finished! Hallelujah!
—Deborah Manera

Jesus paid it all—all to Him I owe,
Sin had left its crimson stain;
He washed it white as snow.
— Elvina M. Hall

2 Samuel 15:1-37; Zephaniah 3:1-20; Galatians 3:1-14

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth
good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is
worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. John 2:10

Believers who get older and start to have mobility issues can
sometimes get depressed thinking about “the good old days”,
when they could do so much more. Spiritual paralysis sets in
as they feel they have become spectators in a life that requires
participation. Be encouraged dear saint, God has saved the good
wine until now. Focus on what you can do, not on what you cannot
do! He still has a great work for you. —Sid Halsband

While I am a pilgrim here, let Thy love my spirit cheer;
As my guide, my guard, my friend, lead me to my journey’s end.
—John Newton

2 Samuel 14:1-33; Zephaniah 2:1-15; Galatians 2

Who is he that condemneth? Romans 8:34

Are we condemning a fellow believer for their sin, their crude
speech or their questionable lifestyle? Christ died for them and is
interceding for them. Let us also pray for them and seek their holiness
and good by supplications and acts of kindness.
—D. Pickup

I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might‘st ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead;
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou given for Me?
— Frances R. Havergal

2 Samuel 13:1-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Galatians 1:1-24

In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.
Psalm 120:1

It has been well said that trouble makes us cry unto the Lord.
The hymn writer notes, “No one understands like Jesus”. The
Hebrew word for “distress” occurs nearly two dozen times in the
Psalms. The psalmists knew first hand about trouble and distress
and they knew who to turn to in such trials. “Thou hast considered
my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities” (Ps. 31:7). “Casting
all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
—William H. Gustafson

Are you a-weary, does the way seem long?
Look to the Lamb of God.
His love will cheer and fill your heart with song.
Look to the Lamb of God. —H. G. Jackson